Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first column expansion strut pair. A plurality of the first column expansion strut pair form a first expansion column. A plurality of second column expansion strut pair form a second expansion column. A plurality of first serial connecting struts form a first connecting strut column that couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column. The first expansion column, the second expansion column, and the first connecting strut column form a plurality of geometric cells. At least a portion of the plurality are asymmetrical geometric cells.

Abstract: A circumferentially connected stent in a non-expanded state with a longitudinal axis, includes a first expansion column strut pair having a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut with a joining strut. The first expansion column strut pair defines a chevron shaped slot, and a plurality of the first expansion strut pair forms a first expansion column. A second expansion column strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut. The second expansion column strut pair defines a chevron shaped slot, and a plurality of the second expansion strut pair forms a second expansion column. A first serial connecting strut column is formed of a plurality of first connecting struts, and the first connecting strut column couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column.

Abstract: An intra-luminal vascular stent in a non-expanded state with a longitudinal axis, comprises a plurality of expansion strut pairs forming a first expansion column. Each expansion strut pair includes a stair-step expansion strut, a straight-line expansion strut and a joining strut coupling an end of the strut pair, which forms cell slot. Each of the expansion strut pair has three longitudinal axes that are aligned in a non-parallel relationship to the stent longitudinal axis. A plurality of expansion strut pairs forms a second expansion column. Each expansion strut pair includes a straight-line expansion strut, a stair-step expansion strut and a joining strut coupling an end of the strut pair, which forms a cell slot. Each of the expansion strut pair has three longitudinal axes that are aligned in a non-parallel relationship to the stent longitudinal axis. A plurality of serial connecting struts forms a first serial connecting strut column and includes a first serial connecting strut.

Abstract: A stent assembly includes a balloon and an expandable stent positioned at an exterior of the balloon. The stent includes a first expansion strut. A plurality of the first expansion struts form a first expansion column. A plurality of second expansion struts form a second expansion column. A plurality of the first connecting struts form a first connecting strut column. Each of a first expansion strut of the first expansion column is coupled to a second expansion strut of the second expansion column. The first connecting strut includes a proximal section coupled to a distal section and at least a portion of the first connecting strut includes a first linear section and a first slant angle.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first column expansion strut pair that includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut. A plurality of the first column expansion strut pair form a chevron shaped slot in a first expansion column. A second column expansion strut pair has a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut. A plurality of the second column expansion strut pair form a chevron shaped slot in a second expansion column. A plurality of first serial connecting struts form a first serial connecting strut column. The plurality of first serial connecting struts couple the first expansion column to the second expansion column. The first serial connecting strut ipsilaterally couples the second expansion strut of the first expansion column to the second expansion strut of the second expansion column.

Abstract: A circumferentially connected stent in a non-expanded state with a longitudinal axis, including a plurality of expansion struts forming a first expansion column, the first expansion column including a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a first joining strut. The first joining strut couples a distal end of the first expansion strut to a distal end of the second expansion strut, and the first expansion strut has a stepped distal portion and the second expansion strut has a stepped proximal portion. A plurality of expansion struts defines a second expansion column, and the second expansion column includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a first joining strut which couples a distal end of the first expansion strut to a distal end of the second expansion strut, and the first expansion strut has a stepped proximal portion and the second expansion strut haves a stepped distal portion.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state includes a plurality of a first column expansion strut pairs that form a first expansion column, a plurality of second column expansion strut pairs that form a second expansion column and a plurality of first serial connecting struts that form a first connecting strut column. The first connecting strut column couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column. At least a portion of the plurality of the first serial connecting struts have a first stair-step and a second stair-step. The first expansion column, second expansion column, and first connecting strut column form a plurality of geometric cells. At least a portion of the plurality of geometric cells are asymmetrical geometric cells.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first expansion strut that includes a first expansion strut positioned adjacent to a second expansion strut. A joining strut of the first expansion strut pair couples the first and second expansion struts at a distal end of the first expansion strut pair. A plurality of the first expansion strut pair form a first expansion column. A second expansion strut pair includes a first expansion strut positioned adjacent to a second expansion strut. A joining strut of the second expansion strut pair couples the first and second expansion struts of the second expansion strut pair at a proximal end of the second expansion strut pair. A plurality of the second expansion strut pair form a second expansion column. A first connecting strut includes a first connecting strut proximal section and a first connecting strut distal section. The first connecting strut proximal section is coupled to the distal end of the first expansion strut pair in the first expansion column.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state includes a first expansion column having a plurality of first expansion column slots that are formed of a plurality of first expansion struts. Substantially each first column expansion slot has a longitudinal axis. A second expansion column has a plurality of second expansion column slots that are formed of a plurality of second expansion struts. Substantially each second expansion column strut has a longitudinal axis. A first connecting strut column is formed of a plurality of first connecting struts. The first connecting strut column couples the first expansion column to the second expansion column. The first expansion column, second expansion column and the first connecting strut column form a first tubular structure with a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the first expansion column slots is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first tubular structure.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first expansion strut pair consisting of a first expansion strut positioned adjacent to a second expansion strut and a joining strut which couples the first and second expansion struts at a distal end of the first expansion strut pair. A plurality of the first expansion strut pair form a first expansion column. A second expansion strut pair consists of a first expansion strut positioned adjacent to a second expansion strut and a joining strut couples the first and second expansion struts at a proximal end of the second expansion strut pair. A plurality of the second expansion strut pair form a second expansion column. A first connecting strut includes a first connecting strut proximal section, a first connecting strut distal section and a first connecting strut intermediate section.

Abstract: A multi-lumen vascular catheter for use with a guidewire, comprising a longitudinally extending catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and having at least first and second lumens extending distally from the proximal end, each of the lumens having a proximal opening, wherein the first lumen is adapted to receive a guidewire, and a first connector at the proximal end of the catheter providing a first channel communicating with the interior of the first lumen for insertion of a guidewire therethrough, the connector including means for permitting a guidewire extending longitudinally through the first channel into the first lumen to be moved laterally out of the first channel through the first connector beginning at the proximal end of the first connector. The catheter may be an angioplasty catheter. Also disclosed are methods for using the catheter and for exchanging catheters and guidewires during vascular catheterization procedures.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter, comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal portion, and a distal end, having diagnostic or therapeutic means mounted on the distal portion, and a bailout lumen extending along the catheter shaft from a point ordinarily outside the patient during use to a point proximal of the balloon and normally inside the patient during such use, the bailout lumen adapted to receive a removable guidewire and having an outer wall, with the outer wall preferably including a means such as a longitudinally extending slit for laterally removing the catheter from the patient and off of the guidewire while maintaining the position of the guidewire in the patient, and optionally including a side port through the outer wall of the bailout lumen through which a guidewire can be inserted. Methods for using the catheter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-lumen vascular catheter for use with a guidewire, comprising a longitudinally extending catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and having at least first and second lumens extending distally from the proximal end, each of the lumens having a proximal opening, wherein the first lumen is adapted to receive a guidewire, and a first connector at the proximal end of the catheter providing a first channel communicating with the interior of the first lumen for insertion of a guidewire therethrough, the connector including means for permitting a guidewire extending longitudinally through the first channel into the first lumen to be moved laterally out of the first channel through the first connector beginning at the proximal end of the first connector. The catheter may be an angioplasty catheter. Also disclosed are methods for using the catheter and for exchanging catheters and guidewires during vascular catheterization procedures.

Abstract: A bailout system for procedures involving angioplasty catheters, comprising a receptacle sized to fit inside an angioplasty guiding catheter, comprising an elongate tubular shaft having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough from a proximal end to a distal end, a balloon angioplasty catheter extending through the lumen, the angioplasty catheter and the receptacle each adapted to slide longitudinally with respect to each other, and a longitudinally movable guidewire extending through the lumen but outside of the angioplasty catheter. Also disclosed is a method for using the system.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter has a hollow metal tube having a proximal end and a distal end with at least two lumens extending through the tube. Also, the catheter includes a first angioplasty balloon and a second angioplasty balloon attached to the tube near the distal end of the tube, with each of the balloons being in fluid communication with a respective lumen. The balloons are eccentric with respect to the tube, and the first and second balloons have respective first and second lengths and respective first and second inflated diameters. The first length is different than the second length, and the first inflated diameter is different than the second inflated diameter.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter, comprising a catheter shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, with a balloon inflation lumen extending therethrough, a fixed, steerable torquewire extending through at least a portion of the shaft and out of the distal end thereof, an angioplasty balloon on the distal end of the catheter operatively communicating with the balloon inflation lumen for inflation and deflation of the balloon, wherein the proximal end of the balloon is attached to the distal end of the catheter shaft and the distal end of the balloon is attached to the torquewire, and a bailout lumen extending along the catheter shaft from a point ordinarily outside the patient during use to a point proximal of the balloon and normally inside the patient during such use, the bailout lumen adapted to receive a removable guidewire and having an outer wall, with the outer wall preferably including a means such as a longitudinally extending slit for laterally removing the catheter from the patient and off of the guidewir

Abstract: Disclosed is an angioplasty catheter comprising a catheter shaft having a distal end and at least one, and preferably two, angioplasty balloons on the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the distal end of the catheter and the balloons are formed from a single monolithic piece of polymer material. The distal end of the catheter may also include additional balloons formed from the same piece of polymer material. Each of the balloons is separately inflatable and deflatable by virtue of a separate lumen running through the catheter shaft to the balloon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter for performing balloon angioplasty having multiple independently inflatable/deflatable balloons thereon, each balloon having a different diameter. The balloons are capable of withstanding pressures in excess of 100 psi and are non-elastomeric and imperforate. Also disclosed is a method for performing balloon angioplasty by advancing a balloon catheter of the type disclosed into a stenosis inside a blood vessel, inflating a first balloon to partially dilate the stenosis, advancing a second balloon into the partially dilated stenosis, wherein the diameter of the second balloon is greater than the diameter of the first balloon, and inflating the second balloon to further dilate the stenosis.

Abstract: Disclosed in an angioplasty catheter comprising a catheter shaft having a distal end and at least one, and preferably two, angioplasty balloons on the distal end of the catheter shaft, wherein the distal end of the catheter and the balloons are formed from a single monolithic piece of polymer material. The distal end of the catheter may also include additional balloons formed from the same piece of polymer material. Each of the balloons is separately inflatable and deflatable by virtue of a separate lumen running through the catheter shaft to the balloon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catheter for performing balloon angioplasty having multiple independently inflatable/deflatable balloons thereon, each balloon having a different diameter. The balloons are capable of withstanding pressures in excess of 100 psi and are non-elastomeric and imperforate. Also disclosed is a method for performing balloon angioplasty by advancing a balloon catheter of the type disclosed into a stenosis inside a blood vessel, inflating a first balloon to partially dilate the stenosis, advancing a second balloon into the partially dilated stenosis, wherein the diameter of the second balloon is greater than the diameter of the first balloon, and inflating the second balloon to further dilate the stenosis.